Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (discontinued)

Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Research Scholarships - Doctoral (CGRS D)
(*domestic AND international students)

APPLICATION TIPS

Instructions: Prior to starting online application, take time to read ALL instructions: SSHRC / CIHR / NSERC, G+PS, Tri-Agencies, as well as instructions within the applications!

Formatting: Ensure free-form documents such as “Research Proposal” adhere strictly to specific agencies’ formatting requirements.

Transcripts: Email ISGP to obtain a PDF copy of all your UBC and non-UBC transcripts to ensure they are the most updated version, official and accepted.

References: Notify referees early of your reference request; send reference link early; send referees a 1-page summary of research, transcripts; highlight parts you would like your referees to emphasize in reference; set earlier deadline for referees (September 5-6). Send your referees instructions for completing your references.

Submission: Aim to submit application at least 24 hours before September 9^th 12pm deadline.

UBC Affiliated Fellowships: Email ISGP the AFF checklist in order to be considered.

Months of Master’s studies: Email ISGP your total months of Master’s studies.

Indigenous/Disability: Email ISGP if you self-identify as indigenous or person with disability, as students who indicated may not be counted towards nomination quota.

Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D) (for domestic AND international students)

As announced in March 2025, the Tri-Agencies have launched the new Harmonized Tri-Agency Scholarship and Fellowship program, the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The inaugural doctoral student fellowship program, the Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Research Scholarships – Doctoral (CGRS D), is now open for applicants to the Fall 2025 competition. The 2026-2027 Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral competition will also be run in conjunction with the new CGRS D competition. Note: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship has been discontinued.

G+PS CGSR D Info page

Tri-Agency (SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR) CGRS D program page

Application Deadline (for both CGRS-D and UBC Affiliated Fellowships): Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 12:00pm (noon) PT 

International Student Eligibility

International students are now eligible to apply for Tri-Agency funding through the CGRS D. A percentage of funds at the federal level is now reserved for international students. Please note that international students must be enrolled in their doctoral program of study at the time of application. International student applicants to the Fall 2025 CGRS D competition who are not registered in a PhD program at UBC for the fall 2025 term will be deemed ineligible.

International students who are commencing their programs in September 2025 and intending to apply for CGRS D are encouraged to register for the Winter term as soon as possible if they have not already done so. The window of eligibility to apply to CGRS D has also expanded. To be eligible to apply, students must have completed no more than 36 months of full-time equivalent study in the doctoral program for which they are requesting funding by December 31, 2025. International applicants may hold the award only in Canada.  For full eligibility criteria, please visit the CGRS D program page.

How do apply through ISGP/UBC

Applicants applying through UBC will either be:

• currently registered in, or are on an approved leave of absence from, a degree program at UBC (domestic and international students).
• not currently registered anywhere but were registered at any time during the year of application (2025) in a degree program at UBC (domestic students only).
• Please consult the “Where to submit an application” section of the Application Procedures information on the CGRS D program page.
• Applications will be submitted via each of the agency platforms, similar to the past application procedures for CGSD. The application portals are now open and applicants may begin preparing their applications:

CIHR: Online Application System (application instructions)

• Must include Page 1: “routing slip”
• Page 3 (Institution Paid) should be blank. Signatures will be obtained at a later date (for nominated applications).
• “Other Applicants” must be included in application. If this page is missing, you have not added your supervisor in the “Identify Participants” task in ResearchNet.
• Must include Doctoral Studies Timelines form: timeline of doctoral studies to date (i.e. up to Fall 2025). Indicate calendar year
• Canadian Common CV (CCV): Must be “CIHR Academic” format: “special circumstances should be listed under “EmploymentàLeaves of Absence and Impact on Research”
• Current program (ISGP 2025-2026) should be listed.

NSERC: Online Application System (application instructions)

SSHRC: Online Application System (application instructions)

Resources

• Preparing Excellent Fellowship Applications workshop, slides
• CGRS D: Understanding Competition Details & Application Procedures webinar
• Writing CGRS-D and Killam Doctoral Scholarship Applications Q&A Session
• CGRS-D (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) Application Resources 2025/26 canvas course
• CGRS D: Crafting a Compelling Research Story in-person workshop (Wed. Sep. 3)

SSHRC CGRS D Online Application (Sample) SSHRC CGRS D Application Print Preview
CIHR CGRS D Online Application (ResearchNet) Sample

UBC Affiliated Fellowships

UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral competition

Applicants who are eligible for the CGRS D will be automatically considered for Affiliated Fellowships. There is no longer a separate application pathway for the Affiliated Fellowship competition; to be considered for Affiliated Fellowship funding, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for the CGRS D and submit a CGRS D application.

To be considered for a selection of criteria-based Affiliated Fellowships, students should submit the checklist of criteria-based affiliated fellowships to the ISGP Office by Tuesday, September 9, 2025 @ 12pm (noon) PT.

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

***Application deadline: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 @ 1:00 PM PST (4:00 EST) on Trudeau Foundation online portal***

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program offers a three-year program designed to train engaged leaders with the skills required to turn their ideas into actions and contribute concretely to addressing the challenges of their communities, Canada, and the world.

The Foundation welcomes applications from candidates across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, and is directly relevant to the future of Canada. Candidates’ research must be related to one or more of the Foundation’s four central themes: Human Rights and Dignity; Responsible Citizenship; Canada and the World; and, People and their Natural Environment.

• Value: Up to $50,000 stipend plus up to $20,000 research and travel allowance per year for three years
• Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 at 4 p.m. EST (1:00 pm PT).

Reminder: As of the 2020 award competition year, interested applicants apply directly to the Trudeau Foundation to be considered in the national competition; all interested and eligible applicants may apply. The University of British Columbia no longer nominates a subset of applicants to the national competition (there is no department-level or university-level adjudication).

For further information, such as detailed eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and application procedures, please visit the Trudeau Foundation webpage: https://www.trudeaufoundation.ca/become-scholar.

Questions about this scholarship should be directed to the Trudeau Foundation at scholarship2026@trudeaufoundation.ca.

CGRS-M / UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master's)

*for Master’s students only

Application Deadline (both CGRS-M and Affiliated Fellowships): MONDAY December 1, 2025 before 5:00pm PST

DEADLINE NOTE: The CGS-M application deadline is set nationally by the CGRS-M funding agency and is not flexible. Applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible. 

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s

• For domestic students (Canadian/PR) only
• Detailed Competition Information and on G+PS web site
• Application Instructions
• Application materials cannot be revised after the deadline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read application instructions and presentation standards first before preparing their application on Research Portal.
• Research Portal (online application) (NOTE: Applicants please use same email used in Workday account at UBC!)
• After the deadline, the Research Portal will close, and there will be no opportunity to re-open the application. This is the deadline for all application materials, including reference letters. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their references are submitted on time. CGRS-M applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible.
• When identifying UBC as your institution, the official name is “The University of British Columbia”
• NOTE: Once the Reference Assessment Form is saved and validated (all mandatory fields completed), it will automatically be attached to the student’s application. A status change in the applicant's portal – Invitation accepted and completed—will advise applicant that the assessment is complete. However, the applicant will not be able to view the assessment's content. The referee can modify the Reference Assessment Form as long as the application has not been submitted.
• To be considered for UBC Affiliated Fellowships, email ISGP Office a list of UBC Criteria-Based fellowships to be considered (No need to submit full UBC Affiliated Fellowship application)

Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative

The Indigenous Scholars Awards and Supplements Pilot Initiative consist of a one-year, non-renewable supplement valued at $5,000 for all meritorious Indigenous CGRS-M applicants and a one-year, non-renewable award valued at $27,000 for all alternate candidates, subject to the limit of available funding. If you self-identify as Indigenous you are eligible to apply for this initiative. For more information, see the Tri-Agency's pilot initiative webpage.

Important reminders regarding reference assessment forms:

• Approach your referees early and send them the instructions.
• Referees (faculty members) are strongly encouraged to complete their assessments and submit them via the Research Portal well in advance of the December 1 deadline (instructions).
• Applicants cannot submit their CGRSM application until the two reference assessment forms have been completed and submitted in the Research Portal. The deadline will not be extended for applicants who are unable to submit because of missing reference assessments.

UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)

The UBC Affiliated Fellowships Master's competition runs in concert with the Canada Graduate Research Scholarships-Master's (CGRS-M; see above) competition. Approximately 50 fellowship with values ranging from $175 to $16,000 are offered through this competition. Current and prospective full-time UBC-Vancouver graduate students can apply. Students who are eligible for the CGRS-M must submit a CGRS-M application in order to additionally be considered for Affiliated funding.

• For domestic and international students
• If you are not eligible to apply to the Tri-Agencies CGRS-M, you may still apply to the UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)
• Competition Information
• Application form & Instructions
• Reference form
• ONLY electronic submission (by email) will be accepted
• Referees must use designated reference forms. No free-form letters will be accepted
• 2 references must be signed (e-signature OK) and emailed to ISGP Office directly from referees by MONDAY December 1, 2025 before 5:00pm PST

What you need to do now:

• Ask for references early; let your referees know deadlines, and send them instructions
• email ISGP Office to request a scan of all academic transcripts: No need to order official UBC transcripts. Check if all official transcripts for all previous studies (including transfer credits) are on file. *Note that although the Advising Transcript document is accepted for UBC CGRS-M applications, it may not be accepted by other universities in Canada, so students applying elsewhere for the CGRS-M in addition to UBC should order official UBC transcripts.
• Before you begin your online application, prepare the following:

1) Outline of Proposed Research (1 pg. max) + bibliography/citation (1 pg. max)

2) Have the transcript scan ready (from ISGP)

3) Create/update your Canadian Common CV (CCV) and have the confirmation # ready. A complete CCV must be linked to the application by following the instructions provided in the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program: Instructions for completing a Canadian Common CV page.

UBC Spring Graduate Awards Competition

Full details: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/spring-graduate-awards-competition

Deadline

ISGP Internal Deadline: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025 at 4:00pm (email applications to ISGP Office)

Eligibility

Students must be registered, full-time graduate students during the period of the award (Sep 2025-Aug 2026). Incoming students (ie. will start in September 2025 or January 2026) are also eligible to apply (ex. a successful Spring Awards applicant starting in January 2026 could receive funding covering January to August 2026).

Additional eligibility criteria differ between awards, and students might be eligible for multiple awards. The list of awards is available in the Application Form - PART 2. In the Application Form - PART 2, students must clearly address their eligibility as specifically to the award description as possible. To be eligible to receive funding, applicants must meet all the criteria for each award they apply for.

In addition to eligibility requirements specified by each available award, the following criteria apply:

Please note that all previous studies at the graduate level, regardless of institution and discipline, will be included in determining eligibility. For example, a previous Master's degree at UBC or another institution would count towards your total Master's months of study.

Selection

While award recipients will be selected based on evaluation criteria, priority will be given to eligible candidates who do not hold significant scholarship funding (i.e., $16,000 or higher) for the 2025/26 academic year (September 2025 to August 2026).  If a student is offered Spring Awards funding, and later receives other scholarship funding of $16,000 or higher for the same period, the Spring Awards funding offer would normally be rescinded.

*Exception: Some of the Spring Graduate Awards have very niche award descriptions (eligibility requirements).  For example, the #6362 award ‘James and Setsuko Thurlow Scholarship in Peace and Disarmament Studies’.  If a Spring Graduate Award receives a very low number of eligible applications, it may be awarded to a student who already has significant scholarship funding.

Procedure

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit (via email) the following materials to the ISGP:

1. completed application form - PART 1

2. completed application form - PART 2

3. Canadian CCV – CGS-Master’s version

1. 1. applicants are required to complete the CCV from the Canadian Common CV Web site as part of their application. Refer to the Canadian Common CV – How to Complete the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's Version for details.
   2. applicants should access the .pdf version of their CCV by clicking “History” in the top menu bar when logged into the CCV website and download the .pdf version of their CCV, rather than the .xml version.

4. (ISGP will provide) academic records for all university-level studies (including studies undertaken but not completed) up to December 31, 2024. Official transcripts are preferred. These may be original or certified true copies provided by the ISGP. For UBC, the applicant's "UBC Advising Transcript" provided by the ISGP will be accepted. Please note that students must request certified true copies of transcripts from their graduate program (ISGP), not from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. ISGP Office should be able to retrieve official/unofficial transcripts in the online admission portal. Please check with the ISGP for your transcripts on file.

5. One letter of recommendation/form. In some cases, a reference letter submitted for a previous scholarship competition may be used; see the application instructions for details. NOTE: Referees must use reference form instead of free-form letter on letterhead.